A/N: I came to the LTiH FF scene pretty late (mid season 3). There are a number of great stories about the beginning of C&K and I was inspired to create my own. Not sure how many chapters, but I hope you enjoy! Reviews are always greatly appreciated!

Kate McKenzie cursed under her breath at the GPS mounted on her dash. She had just exited the freeway, upon its direction, and the contraption had abruptly decided it was now confused, the words "acquiring satellite" appearing on its screen; the steady rain against the windscreen only causing further irritation to her already heightened nerves. She slowed down as she approached the light ahead, hoping the device would again regain its senses.

Of bloody course it would have to rain on the day of the biggest interview of my career. You know, I could really use your cooperation, universe!

The staccato Standard British dialect rang from the GPS just as she stopped at the light, directing her to turn left in 10 meters. She sighed with relief then turned left and continued on her journey, the GPS informing that she would arrive to her destination in 16 minutes.

Kate pulled in to the entrance at Sulgrave Heath and gasped at the imposing building before her. "Blimey" she mumbled to herself as she pulled into a parking space in front of the wide double doors, right behind a black Jeep Cherokee.

She had heard Sulgrave was a very posh school, but also the best school in the district and had been very keen to apply. Her strong desire for teaching and sculpting young minds, as well as her strong desire to make a new start in a new city, had her hoping very fervently that she would get the position.

She turned off the car and sat for a moment, collecting her thoughts and preparing her professional demeanor. After collecting her purse, briefcase and umbrella from the passenger seat, she decided to get out and go inside. She was 20 minutes early, but decided she would make a quick trip to the loo before waiting patiently for her interview.

Kate walked into the school and made her way up the wide staircase in front of her, following the directions she had been given when the interview was scheduled. She marveled at the beautiful architecture and fine wood trim in the building as she made her way to the head teacher's office. As she reached the door, she paused for a moment to smooth her hair and shirt, as well as her nerves, before stepping inside.

She walked into the office to find a woman bent over a drawer in the file cabinet across the room. She wore a tight tan pencil skirt and a sleeveless pale blue chiffon blouse, tucked neatly into the waist of the skirt. The blouse showed off her pale freckled arms and the skirt showed off her shapely figure. She also wore tan heels, quite tall, as Kate made mental note. Her hair was bright blonde and just above her shoulders.

Kate stood silent for a moment, watching the blonde woman before her. She felt the familiar lump rise in her throat at the sight and quickly cleared her throat to will it away. The blonde woman turned sharply, startled by the noise, dropping the file she held in her hand.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you." Kate exclaims, rushing to pick up the file from the floor. Her eyes unconsciously move up the length of the woman's legs as she ascends, the tiniest flutter making an ever so faint presence in her stomach. She diverts her gaze as she reaches the woman's waist, rising quickly to extend the folder between them. It is then that she sees the two azure blue eyes staring back at her.

My god, her eyes are magnificent.

"It's quite alright; I guess I didn't hear you come in. You must be…Katherine McKenzie? Is that correct?" The woman replies in a cordial, but professional tone.

"Umm, yes, yes I am. Are you Beverly?" Kate questions as she remembers to put a smile on her face.

"Oh no, Beverly has stepped out for lunch. She should be back in 5 minutes though. I'm Dr. Caroline Elliot." The blonde extends her hand to Kate, shaking it firmly once it's given.

"Oh, I was expecting…" she trails off as she realizes the comment is not the most professional in nature.

"You were expecting?" Caroline questions with slight consternation in her tone.

Smooth McKenzie, you've already managed to put your foot in it.

"Well, umm, I was expecting someone a bit older. Your CV was rather extensive, so I assumed…" Kate stammers, trying desperately to save face in front of her potential boss, hoping that she didn't offend her. The remark would normally have made Caroline quite irritated, but the obvious look of embarrassment on Kate's face made her soften her reply.

"Oh, yes. Well, I didn't have much of a social life." Caroline replies with a smirk. She turns and places the file back into the cabinet before shutting it and returning her attention to Kate.

"I know I'm a bit early, but I wasn't sure how traffic would be with the weather. I didn't want to be late, but I didn't intend to be quite so early either." Kate says, in an effort to change the subject as well as acknowledge proper interview etiquette.

"It's no problem. I like punctuality, so I would have done the same." Caroline replies with a smile.

The two women turn as they hear the office door open. Beverly steps inside and looks to Caroline with an apologetic smile. She crosses to her desk, placing her purse in a drawer then steps around to address Kate.

"Oh, you must be Katherine McKenzie. I'm Beverly, we spoke over the phone. It's nice to meet you." She extends a hand to Kate with a smile. Kate takes the hand and smiles warmly in return.

"It's very nice to meet you Beverly." Kate releases her hand and adjusts the purse on her shoulder, switching her briefcase into the other hand.

"Oh, here, you must want to put those down. I can also show you to the toilet if you like, since we have a few minutes before the rest return from lunch." Beverly gestures to a seat opposite her desk, along the wall.

"Thank you and yes, I would be grateful for a trip to the toilet."

"Beverly, I will leave you to take it from here. I just want to finish up a few things before the others return. We'll see you shortly, Miss McKenzie." Caroline nods to Beverly, then smiles to Kate before exiting to her office.

Beverly ushers Kate out of the office and they head down the hall to the loo. It's the first week of summer holiday so the halls are empty; their footsteps echoing loudly down the vast corridor.

"So Miss McKenzie, I see you've already met our head teacher." Beverly says with a small smile.

There's something about Kate that Beverly instantly likes. She has a warm and friendly demeanor but Beverly had also reviewed Kate's CV before passing it along to Caroline, and was rather impressed by the teacher's accomplishments. She knew that on paper Kate was very qualified for the position, and now after only a few short minutes with her, she was already hoping she would get the job.

"Oh, please call me Kate, and yes…she is much younger than I expected." Kate confides, feeling the same connection with Beverly.

"Yes, well, don't let that fool you, Kate. She's a tough woman and excellent at her job." Beverly says with a laugh, but a serious look in her eye. She's very loyal to her boss and is quick to defend her abilities.

Beverly had been at Sulgrave for nearly 15 years now and had worked with two other head teachers before Caroline, but Caroline was by far her favorite. She was tough, but fair and had made exceptional strides in transforming the school into the top academy that it now was. Beverly admired Caroline, as a teacher and an extraordinary leader. They'd spent 4 years working side by side now and although Caroline Elliot is tough, Beverly can sense there's a soft side underneath. She was part of Caroline's inner circle now, though it had never been officially stated.

"Right, this is the toilet. I can wait outside, if you like, to bring you back, or you can return to the office if you think you can manage it alone."

"Oh, I can manage. I don't want to take up anymore of your time."

"It's not a problem, but I will leave you to it. Just come back to the office and I'll bring you into the interview when they are ready." Beverly smiles then turns to head back down the hall.

oOo

"Alright, we are ready for you Miss McKenzie." Beverly gestures for Kate to approach as she stands in the door to Caroline's inner office. Kate rises with a smile and straightens her trousers and jacket before following Beverly into the room.

She is greeted by a number of smiling faces seated at a large conference table in the corner. She approaches the table and takes the empty seat that is directly across from Caroline, who now wears a smart business jacket that matches her skirt.

"Hello Miss McKenzie. We'd like to thank you for coming today. I'm Dr. Elliot, the head teacher here at Sulgrave and this is the rest of the board of governors. I'll be conducting the majority of this interview, but our final decision will be made jointly. We'd like to review your CV and go over any additional qualifications and then you can ask any questions you have for us in the end. Is that satisfactory to you?" Kate smiles and nods in return. She can't help but think to herself how Beverly was right; this Dr. Elliot is one tough cookie.

"Right, let's begin. Your work history is rather impressive, Miss McKenzie. I see you have taught languages for nearly 12 years now. I see you have also taught music. What languages have you taught and how extensive is your experience with music?"

"I have taught French and Latin, but I have certificates and education to teach Spanish and German as well. I am also fluent in Yoruba, but do not have qualifications to teach it. I taught music at the beginning of my teaching career, and have managed a school choir as an elective, since linguistics became my main focus. My degree is in language, but I took a minor in classical music. I play the piano and can teach basic voice lessons."

"That's quite an extensive list, Miss McKenzie. You have a very remarkable skill set for someone so young." Caroline smiles warmly and Kate is certain she can see a slight twinkle in her eye.

"Thank you, Dr. Elliot."

"So tell me then, what inspired you to be a teacher and what makes you interested in Sulgrave Heath."

"Well, my mother is a professor so teaching has always been in my family. My father wasn't a teacher, by profession, but he did teach me piano and my first introductions to music at a young age. I guess I have always been drawn to knowledge and had an eagerness to learn because of the wonderful teaching abilities of my parents and some truly brilliant teachers in my youth. I love helping to expand the minds of our youth and to help open their eyes to new and exciting things. It is my mission to inspire them, and peak their interest enough to want to learn, and to always encourage them to continue learning, long after they have finished school. I try to nurture, yet push, all of my students to expand their abilities and do something out of their comfort zone. I think that is when the best learning and teaching happens. I have heard that Sulgrave is an exceptional place to do just that. The curriculum here is stimulating yet challenging and I have heard wonderful things about the environment of learning that is fostered here. I would very much like to be a part of that and think that I could contribute to it in my own teaching methods."

Caroline watches Kate intently as she speaks, making periodic notes in her notebook. The rest of the board makes notes as well, and a number of them nod their heads in agreement, smiling as Kate speaks.

Kate's CV had already impressed Caroline greatly, but her reply to the last question had pretty much sealed the deal for her. She wanted Kate McKenzie as her new languages teacher, and she'd fight the board tooth and nail to get her if they didn't agree. It was clear Kate had a passion for teaching, just as she did, and she sensed she could make a big impact on the students. She was young, lively and passionate and seemed very approachable, all excellent qualities for a successful teacher, in Caroline's mind.

A few of the directors asked a number of questions, mostly regarding her experience and technical aspects of the job. Kate answered each question thoroughly, genuinely and with great poise and diction. Kate asked a few questions in return, which Caroline answered with the same poise and thoroughness. The interview came to a conclusion and they all rose to bid Kate farewell.

"Again, thank you Miss McKenzie for coming. You are the last interview and we expect to come to a decision by Monday. We want to allow ample time for the person we select to prepare for the autumn term. We will contact the chosen applicant by phone, and should you not be extended an offer, the communication will be done by email. Thank you again and have a wonderful afternoon." Caroline extends her hand and shakes Kate's firmly with a smile.

Kate makes her way down the row of governors, shaking each member's hand, making eye contact with a smile in return. Beverly ushers her into the outer office after to collect her things before leaving. Kate gathers are belongings and Beverly walks her downstairs and to the large double doors.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Miss McKenzie, and I dare say, I think you may be getting a phone call on Monday." Beverly says with a wink and smile.

"Oh, you really think so? I think I'd love it here." Kate smiles giddily in return.

"Well not to be too presumptive, but I know Dr. Elliot, and she was very impressed."

"I hope you are right. It was a pleasure to meet you too Beverly and I hope I will see you again soon." Kate shakes her hand one last time and steps out the doors to her car. The rain has stopped and the sun is even beginning to peak out from the clouds.

God, I do hope she's right! I think this is exactly where I want to be.

oOo

Kate spent all of Monday morning checking her mobile. She had been attempting to clean the house in an effort to distract herself, but it was of little use. She had checked the mobile at least 15 times already and it had only just struck noon.

She decided she would make herself a sandwich for lunch and take it into the garden to get some fresh air. As she reached into the fridge to grab the jar of sandwich spread, her mobile rang, making her jump and drop the jar on the floor. It shattered at her feet and the spread splattered across the cabinets and fridge door.

"Shit," she exclaimed as she jumped over it and rushed to pick up the call. She took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking.

"Hello."

"Hello, Miss KcKenzie?" The female voice replied on the other line.

"Yes, this is she."

"Hi, this is Dr. Caroline Elliot, from Sulgrave Heath. How are you today?"

"Oh, I'm lovely, and you?" The butterflies in her stomach were going wild. They did say a phone call would be given to the person they wanted to hire, right?

"I'm doing well, thank you. Listen, the board and I have come to a decision and we would like to offer you the languages position, if you would be willing to accept. We can give you 24 hours to think it over and get back to us."

"I accept," came Kate's reply, right on the heels of Caroline's declaration.

"Well…that's that then, isn't it." Caroline replied, the smile on her face obvious in her tone.

"Thank you so much Dr. Elliot, and am very much looking forward to it."

"And we are looking forward to having you. Can you be here August 25th to go over the paperwork with me and to get your teaching schedule and such? That's a week before teachers are required to return, to prepare for the term. Term starts September 10th. That would give you the full summer to get yourself sorted and moved to Harrogate. Is that acceptable to you?"

"Yes, that sounds perfect. I look forward to it and working with you Dr. Elliot. Thank you again for the opportunity."

"No need to thank me, Miss McKenzie, you are more than qualified. See you in 6 weeks then. Bye bye."

"Yes. Bye." Kate hung up the phone and could hardly contain her excitement. She let out a large squeal and did a dance around the kitchen.

New job, new town, new life…and what an excellent school and very capable new boss to work for!